Fall, and then winter, are just around the corner – meaning flu season is almost here as well.

Now it’s time to start thinking about getting an annual flu shot instead of waiting until the last minute.

Most doctors offices, our two health departments, hospitals and local pharmacies either have the shots now or will have them very soon.

Anyone who thinks vaccinations don’t help are simply ignoring the scientific facts.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as much as 20 percent of the U.S. population gets infected with influenza each year. Statistics show that, over the past 31 years, annual influenza related deaths have ranged from 3,000 to 49,000.

Medical professionals basically unanimously recommend that all persons six months of age and older be vaccinated every year.

Of course, just because you get a vaccination, it doesn’t mean you are free from worry. It does however greatly increase your chances of making it through the flu season without catching it or at the very least not getting it is bad.

The old saying goes that, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” That certainly holds true when it comes to flu shots and other vaccines that can be gotten for minimal financial cost.

Don’t be one of those people who wishes they would have taken the time to get a shot after they have gotten sick.